No freight!!!

[RLENT]

The republicans had their chance and they blew it.

Doug, about this you and I agree - totally and without reservation on my part.

You should quit worrying about headlights and open your eyes.

Well .... now there's a novel thought ...... nah ..... that might mean one would actually have to look at the consequences of their (previous) actions .....

 

[RLENT]

They sure blew a good chance to show what they could do.

Yeah ..... they did ..... that's the betrayal that I'm talking about - the Republicans had the chance to do the one single thing that could have possibly reversed the downward spiral that this country has been on for quite some time:

The elimination of the Income Tax and replacement of it with a National Sales Tax.

The biggest thing this would have done is placed US industry on a more equal footing with foreign companies in other countries - because it would have removed the cost of the income tax from the cost US-produced goods, making them more competitive both here and overseas.

It would have caused manufacturing companies to relocate back to the US (actually was surveyed within the manufacturing industries)

And it would have eliminated the jackbooted thugs known as the Internal Revenue Service.

There were folks inside the administration that were in favor of this (one was Paul O'Neil - the former head of ALCOA, who became Treas Sec) - but they didn't carry the day - the folks that brought you Iraq and the bailout won out - they really aren't for small government ....... doesn't fit with their plans.

They sure can't do any worse.

Doug, that's either just the koolaid talking ..... or an extreme lack of imagination on your part ......

Don't sell 'em short - I'm sure that the Dems are every bit as capable of screwing it up just as badly, if not worse.

 

[RLENT]

I'm really sick of hearing Republican rhetoric. Had the last 8 years gone well, then they would have room to talk. The way the republicans have mismanaged the country, the only 2 words the republicans and the people that voted for them should be saying are: I'm Sorry

Yup - you are right - and that's why people ought to be running from the Republican party to a 3rd party (take your pick) - the Republicans have absolutely no credibility left - too many undelivered-on promises for too long .......

Too much "Don't pay any attention to what we actually do (or fail to do) ...... just listen to what we say ....."

Couple that with a weak candidate, and that's why they are going to lose this election.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Yes Ken, I'm planning to - no absentee ballot so I'll have to drive back from wherever I wind up on the 2nd or 3rd ...


This statement on your part ought to make some here at least blush (if not exhibit some outright shame) .... afterall, as I recall, you aren't even citizen here quite yet ..... and even you get it - what does that tell ya ..... that "Boobus Amercianus" is alive and well here in the heartland I suppose ?


Not even so much to the center ... as much as giving them the idea that they would actually be held accountable for failing to act in the best interests of the country as a whole .....

That is what we are largely missing at this juncture - acting on behalf of the country as a whole .... instead, it's all self-interest .... and utterly short-sighted self-interest at that .....


Indeed ......

In Canada there are 3 viable parties and a couple lesser parties and some independents...this keeps the 2 mainstream parties in check....A bill is passed on it's own merit NO earmarks allowed..THATS something that oughta be worked on down here...Another viable party will force a power shift...
Maybe long ago the 2 party system worked as their idealogies were much different...but in today they seemed to have merged into one....it's looking more like a dictatorship...

 

[Tennesseahawk]

BTW there 'Hawk .... just out of curiousity - what is the significance of the "hawk" portion of your screen name ?

It's actually TennesSEAHAWK. I've been a Seahawk fan since 1980. Unfortunately, their performance this year is about the same as the government's... 1-5 so far.

 

[RLENT]

In Canada there are 3 viable parties and a couple lesser parties and some independents...this keeps the 2 mainstream parties in check....A bill is passed on it's own merit NO earmarks allowed..THATS something that oughta be worked on down here...Another viable party will force a power shift...

Interesting concept - break up the concentration of power enough and you get to a point where folks with vastly different political inclinations have little choice but to work with one another for the common good ...... what a concept.

Not that I consider Canada an example of perfect government - our friends to the north have their own issues.

Maybe long ago the 2 party system worked as their idealogies were much different...

The history of the two parties is an interesting thing .... and probably not all that well known:

For instance, what is now the Democratic Party was originally called the Republican Party.

And what is now the Republican Party (the Federalists) was in favor of a strong central government (big governement ?) - leaving the Democrats as the party in favor of States rights

And a former Republican (Teddy Roosevelt) formed the Progressive Party and ran as their candidate for President.

History of the Parties

but in today they seemed to have merged into one....it's looking more like a dictatorship...

Not really much difference between the two - they both comprise "the ruling elite" ......

'Hawk - thanks - the fact that you were located in MI was probably what always thru me for a loop .....

 

[cheri1122]

I believe that RELENT has it right: as long as we continue to be polarized by the Republican vs Democrat, Conservative vs Liberal, management vs labor divisions, we will never get past the labels, and on to solving the problems.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer used to run a feature that was really great, in which opposing political pundits focused on areas of agreement, rather than differences, in approaching issues of the day. More of that kind of thinking is needed, IMO, to get us out of the mess the self absorbed and short sighted politicians have led us into.
Insisting that a third party candidate is a wasted vote is a self fulfilling prophecy, ya know?

 

[DougTravels]

I would say a legitimate 3rd party choice would be great. Even better might be no parties at all. Imagine no party line or leaders just representation of the voters.

Some one on here posted an idea about the top 3 getting on the ballot, great idea but what about 1 step farther the top 4 or 5 get on the final ballot with the winner getting the White House 2nd presiding over the Senate and 3rd presiding over the house. VP chosen after election or the 2nd place guy.

It would never happen but what a dream eh.

Ross Perot had 1 thing right, make all campaign contributions illegal. If you get enough sigs you get on ballot equal funds and a gov't sponsered tv (now internet site too I'd guess) channel/site for debates adds and such.

Too much money involved in our elected officials they won't give it up, and most represent whomever is giving the next contribution or that seat on a board when they get out of office.

The only way real change will happen is someone must emerge that has national respect and runs as an independent, Colin Powell type.

Too bad Reagan didn't think to do that before switching from Dem-Rep.

Can anyone out there think of a true moderate with no political ties that the mere name would be synonomous with honesty and respect.

We need a new Washinton, Jefferson, Adams type. Our government isn't totally unfixable but yes we need to fix the broken parts.

 

[dare2dream1]

If your in the trucking business and your not voting for Ohbama then you must be making over 250,000 a yr.... Not!!!!!! Ohbama only wants to tax people that make under 250,000 a yr which I myself dont know of any truckers that do so thats why I voted last friday for Ohbama... McCaine only wants to keep the rich richer and the rest of us poor... as for no freight, I think that its heading down hill but hopefully after the election it will pick back up...

 

[DougTravels]

dare2dream- I'm in your camp on that. I already voted for him too. Lets just hope he does what he says and it works!

 

[LDB]

Dreaming is the key.

 

[DougTravels]

After living through this 8 year nightmare a nice dream sounds great.

 

[Jefferson3000]

Doug, could you please define "rich" for me. What is the yearly gross income threshold one must cross over to be considered rich.

I've always thought of myself as a member of the middle class. Yet I have benefited from Bush's tax cuts. So according you, T.C. and others I must be rich.

Boy, have I benefitted as well. I was recently going back over some tax info contained in TurboTax. I'm still shocked at how much I had to pay in 2001, compared to 2002 and up. Thank you George Bush for tax cuts. I must be rich as well, because I was one who benefitted from them.

Sorry folks, I can't see voting for the candidate whose initials are BO. When a council of CEOs get together and rate the economic plans of a presidential candidate and he gets graded a D and D-, it's time to stop drinking the Kool-aid. BO stinks. (pun intended)

 

[DougTravels]

There's a surprise CEO's (you mean people making in excess of 250k yearly) don't like his plan. Thats a big surprise!

I'm glad Bush's tax plan saved you some money though. The real question is how much are you losing in business now that very few can afford new cars and other luxurys.

 

[davekc]

I don't particularly care who is voted in because I really don't like either one. But it amazes me me the short memory that some have. Just about everyone prospered under Bush until the Congress became a democratic majority. I don't recall anyone complaining 4 years ago that the economy was in the tank. I find it also amazing how some are totally persuaded by the media and a short term memory.
Hope that works as well if a democrat wins the election. The idea that this big tax cut is coming if you make under $250,000 is a pipe dream. If someone buys into that then I have a sailboat in Vegas I would love to sell you.

 

[letzrockexpress]

How many does it sleep????

 

[DougTravels]

how can you blame the Dems in congress. The President has to sign into law anything that comes through congress. They have not over ridden a single veto. So the fault must be with the man who signs bills into law. By the way the economy has been declining since Clinton left office.

 

[Lawrence]

Dave,

Sailboat in Vegas? SOLD!!!!!

 

[DougTravels]

How'd you guys end up with that boat? Did you buy it after voting for W twice! Still laughing, people who voted for W twice accuse me of being naive, drinking kool aid and buying sailboats in the desert!

So for the last time here goes:

If you voted for W twice you have no room to talk about anyones (this includes chimps and donkeys) political views. Republicans always seem to think they are somehow smarter than Dems it cracks me up. The right wing voters have sure put this country in a mess.

I still wonder why this thread was put here? Soapbox full? Since this catagory gets more views was it put here (by a moderator/administrator) to help promote the Republican agenda of this site?

 

[davekc]

how can you blame the Dems in congress. The President has to sign into law anything that comes through congress. They have not over ridden a single veto. So the fault must be with the man who signs bills into law. By the way the economy has been declining since Clinton left office.

No not exactly. There hasn't been anything of value from the Congress that one could sign. That is a partial reason for their lowest ever approval rating. The person in charge whether Bush or someone else has little to do with it. He can either approve or veto a bill but that is it. If it is introduced, it must be passed by the house & senate. Kinda like the Iraq war. They (house and senate) approved it, only to say later they were tricked or didn't understand when there was a hint of unpopularity.

BTW......did I mention a sailboat for sale in Vegas????